A tourists casts an erie reflection in a window as he passes on an upper level of the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, June 29, 2010. The window was constructed with full knowledge that it would have no view to the outside as the boards behind it are the retaining wall of one of the house's elevators, constructed years before this staircase and window. less

A tourists casts an erie reflection in a window as he passes on an upper level of the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, June 29, 2010. The window was constructed with full knowledge ... more

Photo: Chad Ziemendorf / The Chronicle

Image 4 of 9

The Fourth floor balcony of the Winchester Mystery House.

The Fourth floor balcony of the Winchester Mystery House.

Photo: Stephanie Hession

Image 5 of 9

A now closed-off section of mansion once served as a trap for unlucky spirits — or humans. Unsuspecting passers-by would take a short, unpleasant drop into the kitchen sink down below.

A now closed-off section of mansion once served as a trap for unlucky spirits — or humans. Unsuspecting passers-by would take a short, unpleasant drop into the kitchen sink down below.

Photo: Stephanie Hession

Image 6 of 9

A view of Sarah Winchester's personal room in the mansion.

A view of Sarah Winchester's personal room in the mansion.

Photo: Stephanie Hession

Image 7 of 9

A tourist peaks through a window on the second floor of the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, June 29, 2010. This area of the house was once the roof but has been enclosed not once, but twice, as Sarah Winchester added roof upon roof over the years. less

A tourist peaks through a window on the second floor of the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, June 29, 2010. This area of the house was once the roof but has been enclosed not once, ... more

Photo: Chad Ziemendorf / The Chronicle

Image 8 of 9

The Winchester Mystery House is located on South Winchester Boulevard in San Jose.

The Winchester Mystery House is located on South Winchester Boulevard in San Jose.

Photo: Stephanie Hession

Image 9 of 9

Winchester Mystery House gets booze permit

1 / 9

Back to Gallery

If you haven’t seen spirits at San Jose’s famously haunted Winchester Mystery House, you might soon stand a better chance.

The owners of the wacky tourist attraction where stairwells lead to nowhere and secret passageways course through the walls have won permission to sell booze. The permit, granted by the city on March 5, means visitors can amble the house and grounds with an adult drink and perhaps an improved state of mind for seeing the paranormal.

The exact plan for the property remains unclear. The owners did not immediately return a phone call.

But the permit allows the owners to begin serving alcohol at their cafe — as well as open a full-service restaurant to the general public. (Think a romantic evening at the Winchester, without having to tour the haunted house.)

The permit also allows parts of the grounds to open to overnight guests. While the main house, the landmark 160-room Victorian mansion, will remain off-limits during the night, outbuildings such as the historic pump house, caretaker’s residence and foreman’s quarters could offer lodging to the adventurous traveler, according to the San Jose Planning Department.

“These (additions) will help make them more viable for preservation,” speculated Kristinae Toomians, with the planning department. “I’m sure the upkeep has to be huge, to keep it looking nice.”

The Winchester House, at 525 South Winchester Blvd., was once the home of Sarah Winchester, the wife of William Wirt Winchester and heiress to the fortune he made at the gun-dealing Winchester Repeating Arms Company.

The widow is said to have been moved by depression to build the seven-story mansion that, according to legend, helped stave off the evil spirits that haunted her. She died in 1922.

According to the website of the present property owners, “Psychics have said that there are three spirits currently residing in the mansion.”